News
Anti-LGBTQ Bill already passed, no need for reintroduction – Mahama Ayariga
The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has stated that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill, has already been passed by Parliament and therefore does not need to be reintroduced.
He explained during a press briefing today that Parliament had completed its work on the bill, and the only step left is for the President to give his assent.
“My recollection is that we passed this already as Parliament. We passed it, and the issue was giving it a presidential assent. So that is where it should be taken up. I don’t see why anybody should bring us a bill that we have passed already,” he said.
Mr. Ayariga noted that he was surprised to see the bill listed again on the order paper and questioned how it got there.
“Yesterday, I saw it on the order paper, and then I was asking myself, who brought this? A bill that we have passed already — you haven’t convinced me there’s a need for us to work on it again,” he remarked.
He revealed that both he and the Speaker of Parliament were surprised to find the bill on the order paper and called in the Clerk for clarification.
“The Speaker himself also expressed surprise finding it on the order paper. He invited the Clerk in my presence and asked how the bill got advertised. Because he too didn’t know how it got there,” the Majority Leader explained.
He added that the only bill that required the attention of the House was the Property Rights of Spouses Bill presented by Member of Parliament Patricia Appiagyei.
“The only one that indeed yesterday Speaker and I agreed should attract our attention is the one brought by Honorable Patricia Appiagyei — that is the Property Rights of Spouses Bill,” he stated.
The Anti-LGBTQ Bill, which seeks to criminalize same-sex relationships and related advocacy in Ghana, was passed by Parliament but is yet to receive presidential assent.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Parliament has confirmed that the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwame Ohene Frimpong, has been detained at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
In a statement signed by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, Parliament said the incident had been brought to the attention of the House leadership.
According to the statement, the Speaker of Parliament and the leadership of the House are currently in contact with Ghana’s Mission in The Hague to gather detailed information about the matter.
Parliament, however, did not disclose the reasons behind the MP’s detention.
“The public will be duly informed appropriately on this matter,” the statement added.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama has approved the immediate evacuation of 300 Ghanaians living in South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks in the country.
According to a statement, the affected Ghanaians had earlier complied with an advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and registered with Ghana’s High Commission in Pretoria for evacuation.
The government said the evacuation exercise is aimed at ensuring the safety and welfare of the citizens affected by the attacks.
The statement described the Ghanaians as distressed persons who sought assistance after tensions and attacks against foreign nationals reportedly escalated in parts of South Africa.
Government assured citizens that it remains committed to protecting the welfare of Ghanaians both at home and abroad.
Authorities are expected to work with Ghana’s diplomatic mission in South Africa to facilitate the safe return of the evacuees to Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
